Bellingham awarded $350,000 EPA grant as Climate Showcase Community

Posted: March 01, 2010 16:13:52 PST

Bellingham is one of the first cities in the nation to be awarded an EPA grant as a Climate Showcase Community (CSC). These grants are designed to assist communities to establish and implement climate change initiatives to help reduce carbon emissions. Of 450 applications from around the country only 25 were awarded CSC status. The City will use the grant funds specifically to provide outreach and education on the Community Energy Challenge project, a collaboration with Sustainable Connections, Opportunity Council, Puget Sound Energy and RE Sources for Sustainable Communities.

"The Community Energy Challenge will demonstrate a comprehensive approach to saving energy that combines community outreach, ‘one-stop shop’ weatherization assistance for homes and businesses, and customer and classroom education," Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said. The Challenge will result in a significant and measurable reduction in energy use and carbon emissions from businesses, institutional buildings and homes across the entire county, while creating living wage 'green collar' jobs utilizing local contractors. More than 2,000 local homeowners and business owners will benefit from the Challenge.

The Challenge benefits from the participation of the same core partners and experience gained in the 2006/2007 community-wide campaign called the Green Power Community Challenge (GPCC). That effort resulted in Bellingham becoming the EPA’s #1 Green Power Community in the nation, and this award builds on that previous recognition. The GPCC was designed to increase voluntary purchases of green power by strategically reaching out to businesses, residents and institutions. The experience, reputation and success of the GPCC is an effective strategy guide for the success of the Community Energy Challenge.

The City will use the grant funds to complete the education and outreach element of the Challenge by collaborating with 3 key partners:

Sustainable Connections (SC) is a non-profit membership organization of nearly 650 Northwest Washington business and community leaders working to transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices. SC will be a sub-awardee and will lead development and implementation of the outreach plan.
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable communities through recycling, education, advocacy and conservation of natural resources. RE Sources will be a sub-awardee and will take the lead on promoting the Challenge outreach efforts through school districts, implementing the proven successful Cool School Challenge program. The Cool School Challenge will engage students, teachers and administrators in school-wide initiatives to save energy and reduce carbon pollution. Participants will also have the opportunity to bring information and practices home to their families.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is a national leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and supports the Community Energy Challenge as part of the utility's commitment to the region's environmental and economic sustainability. As a sponsor of the Challenge and as a technical resource for Sustainable Connections and the Building Performance Center, the utility offers expertise and knowledge in energy efficiency that is helping the Challenge in meeting its goals for Whatcom County. PSE's energy efficiency and education programs involved in this challenge are proven to help customers save energy and protect the environment.

During the three-year Challenge, an estimated 1,800 homes and 150 commercial buildings will improve their energy efficiency. Additional conservation measures will be taken in public schools and other key buildings. The completion of the Challenge will result in a carbon emissions reduction equivalent to the removal of 1,378 passenger cars from the road for one year, with many of those savings persisting over time as a result of the efficiency improvements.

The Challenge will employ an inspiring goal as a unifying theme, as was done during the GPCC. Images of barometers will be displayed on large banners around town and widely published in print media to track collective progress towards the goal of "making Bellingham and Whatcom County a nationally recognized leader in energy efficiency."

Once established, this community-wide goal will be used to unify a variety of diverse outreach efforts that include businesses, government, public schools and the community at large. Over the coming months, Whatcom County residents will have a variety of opportunities at home, at work and at school to take up the Challenge, save energy and money and help the community lead the nation towards practical solutions.

For more information, see the project website at www.communityenergychallenge.org, and the EPA press release.

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Media Contact:
Tara Sundin, Special Projects Manager
Planning & Community Development
360.778-8392
tsundin@cob.org